Method of playing variant of poker

ABSTRACT

A wagering game is played under the control of a dealer with steps of:
         a) a set of playing cards is used to provide random cards from a set of playing cards;   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a wager on a single poker hand of three cards;   c) the dealer dealing exactly three random cards from the d set of playing cards to a first of the two locations;   d) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of the two locations to a second location of the two locations;   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;   f) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer&#39;s position; and   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer&#39;s position.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/188,035, filed 21 Jul. 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of wagering games,particularly poker-type wagering games and most particularly variants ofpoker games in which three cards or four cards are used to determine apoker rank. These games may be played with physical playing cards orvirtual playing cards, and may be live casino table games or virtualelectronic games.

2. Background of the Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,759 (Webb et al.) claims priority through a longline of Patents and applications (this patent is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/249,118 filed Feb. 12, 1999 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,345,823 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/170,092 filed Oct. 13, 1998, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,237,916 issued May 29, 2001, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/889,919 filed Jul. 10, 1997 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,056,641 issued May 2, 2000, which is a division of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/504,023 filed Jul. 19, 1995, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,685,774 issued Nov. 11, 1997, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. 119 from United Kingdom Patent Applications 94/26324 filed Dec.29, 1994 and 94/14822 filed Jul. 22, 1994.) for a game known in theindustry as the “Three-Card Poker”™ game.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,387,300 (Snow); 7,584,966 (Snow) 7,195,243 (Kenny); and7,533,886 (Kenny) describe variants of poker games in which combinationsof cards are used to form poker hands of four cards in a competitionagainst a paytable and/or a dealer's hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,295 (Cabot et al.) describes a variant of blackjackin which a player is provided with multiple hands of initially twoplaying cards. The player may switch one card from each hand between thetwo hands, forming two new initial 2-card hands for playing blackjack.An initial set of cards is dealt and then additional cards are dealt tocomplete hands. In a commercial game similar to this disclosure (a gamemarketed as “Blackjack Switch™ game by Shuffle Master, Inc.) specificrules are used to make the game commercially acceptable, very specificrules are provided. A player makes two equal wagers at two wageringpositions. Two cards are dealt to each wager position. Only the two topcards may be switched between the two hands. The dealer hand does not“bust” with a hand having a count of 22. Blackjacks by players are paidat 1:1 (rather than the typical 3:2 payment). These last two rules areneeded to maintain a house advantage.

A 5-card poker variant is described on the internet as a licensablegame. Two initial wagers are made at each player position, two 5-cardpoker hands are dealt to each player position and the player may movethe top card from each hand to the other hand.

New and more enjoyable wagering games are regularly sought by the gamingindustry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of playing a wagering game places the game under the control ofa dealer comprising.

-   -   a) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards;    -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers (or a single wager        covering two hands) at a player position at two locations,        wherein each of the two locations represents a wager on a single        poker hand of three cards;    -   c) the dealer deals exactly three cards from the randomized set        of playing cards to a first of the two locations;    -   d) the dealer moves exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations;    -   e) the dealer completes three-card hands at the two locations;    -   f) the dealer provides a three card hand at a dealer's position;        and    -   g) the dealer resolves the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart for play of one embodiment of a game accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a table layout for a game according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a pay table and betting station at a single player positionfor one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an automated table system useful in thepractice of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an electronic/processor schematic for a MultiPlayerPlatform (MPP) gaming system.

FIG. 6 shows the electronic/processing schematics of the MPP PlayerStation Intelligence board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method of playing a wagering game under the control of a dealer addsvalue to the existing commercial game of Three-Card Poker™ games. Thegame requires that at least:

-   -   a) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards.        The set of playing cards should comprise at least a standard        deck of playing cards, fifty-two cards having four suits        (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs) having ranks from 2 to Ace.        Multiple decks and/or specialty cards may also be included with        the deck. The deck(s) must be randomized by shuffling to provide        cards in a random order. The transformation of cards into a        random order must be done before the play of each round of the        game so that the cards provided cannot be predicted with any        significant degree of certainty. Shuffling may be effected        manually or mechanically. Manual shuffling is effected by one or        more of mixing playing cards by moving them randomly over a        gaming table surface, or by interleaving sections of the decks        of cards together multiple times.

Mechanical shuffling may be performed by automated shufflers that may beelectromechanical or mechanical equipment that is commerciallyavailable. These automated shufflers may operate by interleaving cards,removing cards from an input set of cards and moving cards tocompartments in stacks or carousels, randomly mixing cards by insertingcards into random portions of shuffled stack's) of cards, randomejection or random removal of cards from an input set of cards to anoutput set of randomized cards, and the like. Such shuffler systems areknown in the art such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,976,023; 7,413,191;7,407,438; 7,384,044; 7,374,170; 7,367,561; 7,338,044; 7,255,344;6,722,794; 6,719,288; 6,676,127; 6,655,684; 6,568,678; 6,629,894;6,346,044; 6,325,373; 6,165,069; 6,126,166; 5,989,122; 5,695,189; and4,586,712. These are merely representative examples of the types ofshufflers that may be used and are not interpreted as limiting either asbatch shufflers, continuous shufflers or as to the type of shufflingperformed.

-   -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;        The dealer controls the play of the game and dictates the rules        of play of the game. The dealer will not allow cards to be dealt        to player positions unless the appropriate wager is verified by        the dealer.    -   c) the dealer dealing exactly three cards from the randomized        set of playing cards to a first of the two locations;        The dealer segments the shuffled set of playing cards into        random content subsets of exactly three cards. The cards may be        manually dealt or automatically dealt by a shuffling apparatus.        The shuffling apparatus may be a batch shuffler or a continuous        shuffler. Cards may be provided one at a time from a delivery        position in the shuffler, entire randomized deck(s) may be        provided from the shufflers, or individual hands of exactly        three cards for delivery to individual player positions and the        dealer position.    -   d) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations;        There are a number of variations in the play of the game that        may be used. The rules are controlled, enforced and implemented        by the dealer (acting as a direct agent of the casino or house).        In one embodiment, only a first hand of three cards is dealt to        a players first wager position. The dealer removes a single card        from the first three-card hand (or removes no cards if it is a        “pat” hand using all three cards in a straight, flush,        three-of-a-kind or straight flush) and puts that single card        into the player's second hand position. The selection of the        specific card removed may be done according to a playbook of        perfect play rules. Also the dealer may allow the player to have        input into the selection of the card to be moved. In this        variant, any one (or none) of the three cards may be moved.        Perfect play rules might include the following: 1) always keep        two cards that are consecutive and in-suit; 2) keep two cards in        suit in preference to two cards in sequence; 3) keep two cards        with an inside straight flush draw over a straight; 4) keep a        pair in preference to two cards that offer an inside straight        draw; and 5) other strategic rules.

In another variant (to be described in greater detail later), there arethree cards in the first hand position and at least one card (up tothree cards) in the second player hand position. The presence of lessthan three cards (one or two cards) in the second hand position enablesdealer selection of the single card to be moved to be effected with moreinformation or different Perfect Play rules or guidelines.

In another variant, the dealer requires a single wager to be placedwhich wager applies to both hands. This may require an even creditamount wager, or to increase house benefits, one win on an odd creditamount debt would pay the smaller of two sums (odd and even) that equalthe total of the odd credit wager. For example, if there were a $25.00wager, a one hand win would pay at a $12.00 rate and the second hand winwould be paid at a $13.00 rate. There may be two separate bonus wagers(e.g., equivalents of Pair Plus™ wagers) made, one on each hand, orthere may be a single bonus wager (e.g., again the equivalent of thePair Plus™ wager used in the major commercial variant of the Three-CardPoker™ game played in U.S. Casinos). If there is a single such bonuswager covering both hands, the scale on the pay table should be lessthan the scale on a “normal” single hand bonus wager event. For example,if the Three-of-a-kind on a single hand bonus wager pays 40:1, then asingle bonus event wager on two hands would pay between 15:1 and 25:1,maintaining a profitable result for the house long-term.

It is also possible, as the player gets to make at least one strategicmove to improve player hands, or the house is required to order handsaccording to rules that are advantageous to the player, the dealer maybetter equalize the probability of outcomes or add significant advantageto the casino by getting a fourth card to use in making a three-cardpoker hand. It is also possible that the dealer may be required todiscard one of the four cards if specific events occur. For example, ifthere are two pair in the dealer's hand, the dealer may be required todiscard either one card of the highest pair or one card of the lowestpair. Additionally, if there is three-of-a-kind in the dealer's hand,the dealer may be required to discard one of the three similar cards.This allows a perception of balancing favorability with a player, butwith only modest overall benefits to a player.

If there are three cards in both the player first hand position and theplayer second hand position, different rules may apply. There isessentially no set of perfect play guidelines as the dealer would movethe cards (one from each three card hand) to form hands with the highestpotential return on the two wagers.

-   -   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;

The hands are completed with additional cards only when the playersecond position hand contains fewer than three cards. The dealer“completes” the hands when there are three cards in both player positionhands and cards are switched (or not moved).

-   -   f) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's        position; and

The dealer's three card hand is provided face down (or one card exposed)so that any subsequent wagers made (e.g., a Play wager) in a typicalcommercial version of the Three-Card Poker™ game is made without totalsinformation on the dealer's hand. At this point, the dealer may or doesrequire a Play wager at each player position for that player position toremain in the game. If the dealer does not obtain a Play wager at anysingle hand position, that hand position has completed the game. Thedealer may require a wager from each of the two hands at a playerposition or only one hand at a player position. The rules may allow forthe dealer requiring Play wagers from both hands for the two hands toremain active in play, may allow the dealer to accept only a single Playwager to keep both Ante wagers in Play, or may require the dealer tocollect an Ante wager from any of the two hands where no Play wager hasbeen received.

-   -   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.

The standard wagers in the commercial version of the Three-Card Poker™game can be made (e.g., Pair Plus™ wager, Ante wager and Play wager, aswell as bad beat wagers, progressive wagers and the like).

Other alternative variants that may be used in the play of the game bythe dealer include (especially where the player is allowed to complete athree-card poker hand in the initial card switching step): a) the dealerreceiving four cards, from which a dealer's best three-card poker handis made by the dealer and/or b) if the player is allowed to form athree-card poker hand with a switch, the paytable with the Pairs Plus orother special bonus payments are adjusted to be lower than traditionalranges of bonus payments.

With regard to altering paytables, there are three general paytablesused throughout the United States for Pairs-Plus wagers. These are, indecreasing order of use:

Pay Table 1 Rank Probability Pay Out Return Straight Flush 0.002172 40to 1  0.086878 Three of a Kind 0.002353 30 to 1  0.070588 Straight0.032579 6 to 1 0.195475 Flush 0.049593 4 to 1 0.198371 Pair 0.169412 1to 1 0.169412 Nothing 0.743891 −1 to 1   −0.743891 Total 1.000000−0.023167 House Advantage: 2.3167%

Pay Table 2 Rank Probability Pay Out Return Straight Flush 0.002172 40to 1  0.086878 Three of a Kind 0.002353 25 to 1  0.058824 Straight0.032579 6 to 1 0.195475 Flush 0.049593 4 to 1 0.198371 Pair 0.169412 1to 1 0.169412 Nothing 0.743891 −1 to 1   −0.743891 Total 1.000000−0.034932 House Advantage: 3.4932%

Pay Table 3 Rank Probability Pay Out Return Straight Flush 0.002172 40to 1  0.086878 Three of a Kind 0.002353 30 to 1  0.070588 Straight0.032579 5 to 1 0.162896 Flush 0.049593 4 to 1 0.198371 Pair 0.169412 1to 1 0.169412 Nothing 0.743891 −1 to 1   −0.743891 Total 1.000000−0.055747 House Advantage: 5.5747%An alternative paytable, used with a three-card hand being formableafter the switch, could be in the range of:

Rank Probability Pay Out Return Straight Flush >0.002172 30 to 1 <0.086878 Three of a Kind >0.002353 20 to 1  <0.070588Straight >0.032579 4 to 1 <0.162896 Flush >0.049593 3 to 1 <0.198371Pair >0.169412 1 to 1 <0.169412 Nothing <0.743891 −1 to 1   >−0.743891Total 1.000000 −0.055747 House Advantage: less than 4%

The payout ranges may be, for example, 20-30:1 for a straight flush,15:25:1 for Three-of-a-Kind, 3-5:1 for a straight, 2-4:1 for a flushand). 5-1.0:1 for a Pair. Even with these changes, the House Advantageis adjusted to be within acceptable traditional ranges for the game, yetoffer significant return for the players.

The method may require the dealer to deal three cards to the firstlocation and moves the one card before any cards are dealt to the secondlocation. As noted above, the dealer may be required by rules to movecards according to best play or perfect play strategy or move at thesuggestion or inclination of a player. In any event, the dealer movesthe card(s). In another variant of the game methods described herein,the dealer deals three cards to the first location and moves the onecard after at least one card or exactly two cards are present in thesecond location.

Another variant in the game method is where the dealer deals three cardsto the first location and moves the one card after exactly three cardsare present in the second location. There may be rules for card movementwhere both hand positions have three cards. Among the possible rules arethat only the last cards (top cards) may be moved, only the first handtop card may be moved (but any card in the second hand). Similar rulesmay be used with the bottom card and even the middle card.

Where there is a single card in the player second hand position, the atleast one card in the second position may be moved by the dealer to thefirst location. Where there are two cards in the player second handposition, one card in the second position is moved by the dealer to thefirst location.

A method of playing a wagering game under the control of a dealer mayalso be described as having the steps of:

-   -   b) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards;    -   c) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;    -   d) the dealer dealing exactly three cards from the randomized        set of playing cards to a first of the two locations;    -   e) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations;    -   f) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;    -   g) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's        position; and    -   h) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.

The method may require the dealer to deal three cards to the firstlocation and moves the one card before any cards are dealt to the secondlocation.

The game may also be played as an electronic version using a processor,video display and player input. The processor effectively operates asthe dealer in the play of the game. A random number generatoreffectively acts as a shuffling mechanism, providing a random generationof cards from a closed set (e.g., a deck or deck(s)) into individualsubsets of multiple player position hands and a dealer hand. Wagers areregistered by the processor and wagers are resolved according topaytables retained in memory.

Various aspects of games included within the scope of the presenttechnology may be further and alternatively described as follows.

There may be a method of playing a wagering game under the control of adealer having steps of:

-   -   a) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards;    -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;    -   c) the dealer dealing exactly three cards from the randomized        set of playing cards to a first of the two locations;    -   d) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations;    -   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;    -   f) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's        position; and    -   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.        The dealer deals three cards to the first location and moves the        one card before any cards are dealt to the second location.        Alternatively, the dealer deals three cards to the first        location and moves the one card after at least one card is        present in the second location, or the dealer deals three cards        to the first location and moves the one card after at least two        cards are present in the second location, or the dealer deals        three cards to the first location and moves the one card after        exactly three cards are present in the second location. In these        alternatives, the at least one card in the second position may        be moved by the dealer to the first location.

Another alternative method may be may be a method of playing a wageringgame under the control of a dealer having steps of:

-   -   a) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards;    -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;    -   c) the dealer dealing exactly three cards from the randomized        set of playing cards to a first of the two locations;    -   d) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations;    -   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;        the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's position;        and    -   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.        The methods described above and below may allow equivalents or        variants to the Standard Pair Plus (TMO side bet wager in        versions of Three-Card Poker™ games presently played, where the        dealer accepts a wager on each of the player's two hand        locations for a bonus wager paid off at odds listed by the        dealer on a paytable, the dealer resolving the wager by        comparing three card poker ranks for each player position hand        where a bonus wager has been placed against a list of three card        poker ranks and odds and paying player position hands based on        the odds listed on the paytable.

Another alternative method may be may be a method of playing a wageringgame under the control of a dealer having steps of:

-   -   a) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards;    -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a single player        position at two hand locations, wherein each of the two hand        locations represents a single wager of the two equal wagers on a        single poker hand of three cards;    -   c) the dealer dealing exactly three cards from the randomized        set of playing cards to a first of the two locations;    -   d) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations;    -   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two hand        locations;    -   f) the dealer providing a four card hand from the randomized set        of playing cards at a dealer's position; and    -   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a best        three-card poker rank of the four card hand at the dealer's        position.

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart for one method of play of games within thepresent technology.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a gaming table layout 2 for play of a gameaccording to the present technology. The layout 2 provides (for example)five (5) separate player positions 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 having threeseparate locations where the dealer may require an Ante Wager, a Playwager and a Bonus wager at each player position, with two locations foreach of the wagers provided at each player position, as there are twohands per player. The player positions also have a location 28 where thetwo hands of cards are dealer and arranged by the dealer. A shufflingdevice 22 and a dealer card position 24 are also shown.

FIG. 3 shows one example of an embodiment of a single player position 4as generally shown in FIG. 2.

Games of the present invention may also be practiced on other gamingplatforms, such as on an electronic gaming machine or EGM, on amulti-player EGM, on a chipless gaming table, which utilizes physicalcards and simultaneously enables credit wagering.

One preferred construction of a Chipless Table has from three to eightplayers (Shown in FIG. 3 as six player positions) with five, six orseven Player betting positions 112 a-112 f (with independent monitors116 a-114 f) being preferred, a Dealer console 130, a playing cardreading shoe 102 (or card reading shuffler or overhead camera imagingsystem or table mounted card reader—not shown), a chip tray 120, cards(not shown), a generic felt 136 and a table computer 128 using theAquarius Controller™ protocol (game controller, under the tablemanufactured by Progressive Games, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nev.), forexample, connected through an I/O port 134. The dealer position is at110. Communication lines are shown, including for example 132.

The game information (which is preferable for multiple games) isconfigurable and will be set-up during the initial installation of thetable and may be switched from game to game on-the-fly at each table. Itis from the set-up that the Game information is selected so that thegraphics on the Player Touch Screen 116 a-116 g. Dealer Console 118, PitDisplay 134 and Table Display 132 provide the correct informationregarding the game in play. It is the capability of changing individualtypes of game events (e.g., from blackjack to baccarat) at a table thatenables, or even requires that the generic felt 136 is free of anypermanent printing that identifies only a specific game at a table.There may be separate monitors (not shown) that enable display of gamesnames, game rules and paytables for individual games, or under tableback-lighting that may project such information display on the table.

Using the Pit Display 134, the game is selected by casino personnel andcommunicated to the table controller 128 via a touch screen control onthe pit display 134. The table controller (and/or a central pitcontroller) sends out the appropriate graphics to each of the Playerscreens and table signs to begin game play.

An exemplary chipless table system is disclosed in co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 12/218,583, filed Jul. 15, 2008 and Ser. No.12/231,759, filed Sep. 5, 2008 which are herein incorporated byreference in the entireties.

In one form of the invention, the game is played according to a livegaming table format. Such a format typically includes a standard gamingtable with a substantially horizontal gaming surface, and with a printedfelt layout. Built into the table or positioned on the table is provideda card handling device, which in one example is an automatic cardshuffling device with playing card recognition capacity. An example of asuitable device is disclosed in pending application Ser. No. 11/810,864,filed Jun. 6, 2007, the content which is incorporated by reference intoentirety. The card handling device preferably is equipped with aprocessor that controls card handling functions, receives and storescard information from the card recognition components and also isprogrammed with “house way” hand setting instructions for the game. Theshuffler reads each card in each set of cards. For example, when theshuffler is programmed to deliver a set of six cards to each player andthe dealer, the identity of each card in each set is stored in theprocessor's memory. Each set of cards is delivered to each player and tothe dealer. In other embodiments, the card handling device is a shoe,and in order to capture the identify of each card in the set, the dealerinputs a command to designate the first and last card dealt into the setof cards. This type of system is similar to and may be enabled accordingto the teachings of Published US Patent Application Document 20100090405filed 1 Oct. 2009 (Roger Snow) which is incorporated herein byreference.

The processor preferably has memory and preconfigured hardware (e.g.,FPGA or ASIC) content that may be accessed. In the memory may be storeda look-up table of possible arrangements of six or other number of cardsinto a high-hand, mid-hand and low-hand, and identifies how each handshould be set according to house way rules. One way to display the houseway rules is to provide an electronic house way display on the gamingtable, and to display the rank and/or suit of at least two of the threehands. Upon display, the dealer sets the hand according to the house wayrules.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a livecasino style game played with cards, chips and optionally an automaticcard shuffler, it can be appreciated that the game may be offered inother formats, some well known, and other newer formats. Somenon-limiting examples of other formats for offering games of the presentinvention include: live gaming tables that use physical cards and othergame pieces and that enable credit wagering, electronic single playergaming machines, electronic multi-player gaming machines, hybrid gamingsystems with physical game pieces and/or components for determining gameoutcome but that enable credit wagering such as the Rapid™ gamingsystems distributed by Shuffle Master, Inc., games for practice play(i.e.—no monetary wagering) on cell phones, gaming stations, PC's,wireless gaming platforms, hand held game devices, parlor games, and thelike and some emerging gaming opportunities including but not limited tointernet gaming and gaming on systems designed specifically for use onaircrafts, etc.

Other alternative methods of play are described below.

One generic concept for play includes steps on a physical gaming table,which preferably has an automatic, mechanical or electromechanicalplaying card shuffler wherein:

-   -   a) a set of playing cards is shuffled or random playing cards        are provided from the physical set of playing cards (preferably        by the automated shuffler or playing card randomizing machine)        to form a randomized set of playing cards or to provide random        cards for delivery by the dealer;    -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;    -   c) the dealer dealing exactly two cards from the randomized set        of playing cards to each of the two locations or a total of        three playing cards to the two player positions;    -   d) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations so        that no more than two cards are present in any one of the two        player position hands, such as moving exactly one and only one        card from the one of the two locations that has two playing        cards or three playing card to the other of the two locations        (In this way, creation of a final three-card hand is prevented,        which would significantly impact success on certain wagers, such        as the Pair Plus or bonus wagers);    -   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;    -   f) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's position        (either after steps c, d or e; and    -   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.

Another alternative method of playing a wagering game under the controlof a dealer has steps wherein:

-   -   h) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomized set        of playing cards;    -   i) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;    -   j) the dealer dealing exactly two cards from the randomized set        of playing cards to each of the two locations;    -   k) the dealer moving exactly and only one card from the first of        the two locations to a second location of the two locations and        exactly one and only one card from the second of the two        locations to the first of the two locations;    -   l) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations;    -   m) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's        position; and    -   n) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.

Still another method of play within the scope of the present inventioncan be described as a method of playing a wagering game under thecontrol of a dealer wherein:

-   -   a) a set of physical playing cards is used to provide random        physical playing cards during play of the wagering game;    -   b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at a player position at        two locations, wherein each of the two locations represents a        wager on a single poker hand of three cards;    -   c) the dealer dealing exactly two random physical playing cards        to a first of the two locations (the random cards are provided,        for example, by either randomizing/shuffling an entire set of        playing cards and taking cards from one side of the randomized        set, or by delivering randomly selected or randomly provided        cards from the original set to a dealer delivery tray or chute.        In the latter case, the original set is not converted into a        final complete randomized set of playing cards, but rather        individual groups of cards are provided to the delivery tray or        chute, and either the complete set in the chute or the available        (forward or top cards) cards in the chute are delivered by the        dealer as required in the play of the game. This would include        both continuous shufflers, and cards on demand shufflers);    -   d) the dealer moving exactly one and only one card from the        first of the two locations to a second location of the two        locations and exactly one and only one card from the second of        the two locations to the first of the two locations;    -   e) the dealer completing three-card hands at the two locations        using random cards from the set of physical playing cards;    -   f) the dealer providing a three card hand at a dealer's position        of random playing cards from the set of physical playing cards;        and    -   g) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparing three-card        poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-card        poker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position.        This method enables the dealer to deal two random cards to the        first location and then move the one card before any cards are        dealt to the second location, after one card is present in the        second location or after two cards are present in the second        location and the physical playing cards are provided from a        mechanical physical playing card randomizing machine that        provides playing cards for the dealer to distribute. When there        are two cards in the second location, one of those original two        cards in the second location should or must be moved to the        first location. The game is more strategically and        probabilistically played when no three-card final hand is formed        in step d). To do otherwise would too greatly increase the        occurrence of higher paying hands. Those would require a        significant reduction in payout terms for high ranking hands.

In a preferred method of play, the dealer deals two cards to the firstlocation and moves the one card after exactly two cards are present inthe second location and the dealer position has three cards and thephysical playing cards are provided from a mechanical physical playingcard randomizing machine that provides playing cards for the dealer todistribute. The cards that may be moved can be limited to only the topcards in both partial two card hands. It is to be noted that randomcards may be provided by either randomizing all of the original set ofcards to form a complete randomized set of cards, or by randomlyselecting cards from the original set (e.g., by a random ejectionshuffler or random compartmentalizing shuffler (in a carousel or stackof compartments) and then providing random subsets of cards from thecompartments.

Some alternate formats for performing game play method steps of thepresent invention are described in more detail below.

Computer-Based Implementations

Methods of the present invention may be implemented in computerhardware, software, or computer hardware and software. A most commonform of computer implementation is a stand-alone, single playerelectronic gaming machine with electronic player controls and one ormore video output screens.

In computer-based embodiments, the gaming device preferably includes atleast one processor, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller-basedplatform, a suitable integrated circuit or one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or Field ProgrammableGated Arrays (FPGA's). The processor is in communication with oroperable to access or to exchange signals with at least one data storageor memory device, and/or a player monitor or monitors. In oneembodiment, the processor and the memory device reside within thecabinet of a gaming device. Multiple gaming devices are typicallyconnected to a casino information network.

The memory device stores program code and instructions, executable bythe processor, to control the gaming device. The memory device alsostores other data such as image data, event data, player input data,random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data orinformation, House Ways distributions and applicable game rules thatrelate to the play of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the memorydevice includes random access memory (RAM): which can includenon-volatile RAM (NVRAM): magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM(FeRAM), and other forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry.In one embodiment, the memory device includes read only memory (ROM). Inone embodiment, the memory device includes flash memory and/or EEPROM(electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any othersuitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate inconjunction with the gaming device disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating datadescribed above can be stored in a detachable or removable memorydevice, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CDROM, DVD, or USB memory device.

In other embodiments, part or all of the program code and/or operatingdata described above can be downloaded to the memory device through asuitable network. In one embodiment, an operator or a player can usesuch a removable memory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer,a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computing device, oranother computerized platform to implement the present disclosure. Inone embodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine disclosed herein isoperable over a wireless network, for example part of a wireless gamingsystem. The gaming machine may be a hand-held device, a mobile device,or any other suitable wireless device that enables a player to play anysuitable game at a variety of different locations. It should beappreciated that a gaming device or gaming machine as disclosed hereinmay be a device that has obtained approval from a regulatory gamingcommission or a device that has not obtained approval from a regulatorygaming commission. It should be appreciated that the processor andmemory device may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or“controller” or “game controller.”

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming devicerandomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based onprobability data. In one such embodiment, this random determination isprovided through utilization of a random number generator (RNG), such asa true random number generator, a pseudo random number generator, orother suitable randomization process. In one embodiment, each award orother game outcome is associated with a probability and the gamingdevice generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to theplayer based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, sincethe gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or moreprobability calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming devicewill ever provide the player with any specific award or other gameoutcome.

In one embodiment, described in more detail below as a “chipless gamingplatform”, the gaming device includes one or more display devices thatare mounted into a gaming table surface and are controlled by theprocessor in addition to or separately from the individual playermonitors. The display devices are preferably connected to or mountedinto the table structure. This may include a central display devicewhich displays a primary game, dealer images, jackpot information, orinformation that is not specifically related to the game, such as sportsinformation or winning events at other tables. This display device mayalso display any suitable secondary game associated with the primarygame as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game(e.g., side bets, bonuses, jackpots and the like).

An alternative embodiment may include a central horizontal game displaydevice and a vertically oriented virtual dealer display device as inShuffle Master, Inc.'s Table Master® gaming system. The central displaydevice may display the primary game, any suitable secondary gameassociated or not associated with the primary game and/or informationrelating to the primary or secondary game. These display devices mayalso serve as digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspectsof the gaming establishment. The gaming device includes a credit display20 which displays a player's current number of credits, cash, accountbalance, or the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming deviceincludes a bet display displays a player's amount wagered. In oneembodiment, as described in more detail below, the gaming deviceincludes a player tracking display which displays information regardinga player's play tracking status.

In yet another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobiledisplay device, such as a PDA or tablet PC that enables play of at leasta portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remote from thegaming device. The display devices may include, without limitation, amonitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), a displaybased on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a displaybased on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on aplurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a displayincluding a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism.

In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display deviceincludes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller. Thedisplay devices may be of any suitable size and configuration, such as asquare, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle. The display devices ofthe gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferablya plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia suchas any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objectssuch as mechanical, virtual, or video reels and wheels, dynamiclighting, video images, images of people, characters, places, things,faces of cards, images of dealers and the like.

Other forms of the invention are in the form of game software that isimplemented in a variety of formats, such as interne gaming, PC practiceplay, hand-held game devices, wireless gaming devices and the like.

Chipless Gaming Table Implementation

One enabling system useful in the practice of the present invention is asystem marketed under the name i-TABLE® by Shuffle Master, Inc. of LasVegas, Nev. That system includes: a) a physical gaming table; b) playermonitors at each player position; c) a playing card reading and deliverysystem (e.g., commercially available shufflers and playing card deliveryshoes with reading capability as sold under the Trade names of One2Six®shuffler, Ace® shuffler, I-DEAL® shuffler, I-SHOE® delivery shoe, etc.);d) a processor receiving information (numbers of cards, rank of cards,suits of cards, etc.) from the card reading and delivery systems; e)communication connectivity (hardwired or wireless) between necessarycombinations of the card reading/delivery systems and the processor, theprocessor and the individual player monitors, and/or the midreading/delivery systems and the video monitors; and f) software in theprocessor that defines predetermined advantage for distributions ofplaying cards into multiple hands, game rules, hand history, and thelike.

With regard to software f), it is understood in the practice of thepresent technology that this is not complex software that readsindividual player hand cards and determines advantageous carddistributions for a first time by extensive calculations. Rather, theentire range of possibilities of hands (e.g., all possible five mid setsdealt to players in poker-style games) are known in poker style games.

By way of non-limiting example, the following is directed to a livetable game—electronic platform hybrid, marketed as SMI's I-TABLE®. FIG.3 shows an exemplary chipless gaming table 100 system for playing livecard games with physical playing cards dealt from an automatic cardshuffler 102 according to technologies enabled and disclosed herein.Gaming table 100 can be a variety of common constructions orconfigurations as are typically used as the structural components ofgaming table in the industry. The typical gaming table has a tabletop orplaying surface 104 and a perimeter pad or armrest (not shown) whichextends at least about the portion of the table periphery facingplayers. The relatively straight back portion of the periphery 110 isused by the dealer (not shown) and can be partly or wholly padded as mayvary with the particular table chosen. Six player display/input systems112 a-112 f are shown. Other numbers of systems can alternately beprovided. Each of the player input systems 112 a-112 f has a processor(not shown) and a touch screen entry surface 116 a-116 g. The tableincludes a dealer chip tray 120, even though players make credit wagersand not gaming chip wagers.

There is also a game controller, CPU or casino computer 128 whoselocation at the table system 110 is relatively unimportant, but whichmust be in direct (hardwired or wireless or networked) communicationwith each individual player processor 112 a-114 f, a card reading and/ordelivery system 102, and a dealer input 130. The communication isrepresented graphically as broken lines 132 on the drawing. In apreferred form of the invention, the game controller 128 resides beneaththe gaming table surface within a layer of the gaming table topstructure. Layered gaming table tops enable the system to house all ofthe necessary electronics yet rest on a standard set of table legs andappear very similar to a standard gaming table to the untrained eye.

A preferable card handling device for administering a poker-style gameis a hand-forming shuffler with integrated card recognition technology,from which playing cards are supplied, with a least a rank/count (andpreferable also suit) of individual packs of cards are known before thecards are removed and delivered to player positions and/or the dealerposition. The card delivery system 102 is in communication with thecontroller 128 by wired or wireless communication methods. Communicationbetween the various system components is not limited to electronic orelectrical signals, but may include optical signals, audio signals,magnetic transmission or the like.

An electronic player display (not shown) may be mounted on a pole andsupported by pole support 134. The player display (not shown) may be adouble-sided table sign. The side opposite the side viewable by theplayer is viewable by pit personnel. The player display is also incommunication with game controller 128 and may provide information onthe specific game being offered, historical player game results, gameoutcome trends, game rules, game play advice, advertisements and avariety of other information useful or entertaining for players.

Dealer display 130 includes data input capability and may be used by thedealer to input “buy in” amounts, to confirm game play results, toprovide the dealer with game play instructions such as instructions onhow to set the highest ranking hand, and the like. A random numbergenerator may be included as part of the processing capability of thedealer display 130 and be used to determine which player receives afirst hand, or for other purposes. In an alternate embodiment, thedealer display 130 resides on the card dispensing device 102 or as aseparate keypad (not shown).

The individual player position processors (not shown) are preferablegraphics processors and not full content CPUs as a cost saving, spacesaving, and efficiency benefit. With the reduced capacity in theprocessor as compared to a CPU, there is actually reduced likelihood oftampering and fraudulent input.

The betting chip rack 120 is provided to allow the dealer toconveniently store betting chips used by the dealer in cashing playersin and out of the game. A money drop slot (not shown) is furtherincluded to allow the dealer to easily deposit paper money bills thereinwhen players purchase credits.

An exemplary chipless table system is disclosed in co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 12/218,583, filed Jul. 15, 2008 and U.S.application Ser. No. 12/231,759, filed Sep. 5, 2008 which are hereinincorporated by reference in the entireties.

Multi Player Platform Implementation

FIG. 4 shows an example of an automated table system 101 a useful topractice the game play methods of the present invention. This system isfully disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0164759 A1. The contentof this application is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thesystem 140 has an upright dealer display cabinet 142 with a top 144 anda virtual dealer viewing screen 146 which may be any form of displayscreen such as a CRT, plasma screen, liquid crystal screen, LED screenor the like. The common player area has a common player display screen148 on which images of cards being dealt 150, bets wagered (not shown)and touch screen player input controls 152 are located. Other playerinput functions may be provided on a panel 154 which might acceptcurrency, coins, tokens, identification cards, player tracking cards,ticket in/ticket out acceptance, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows an electronic/processor schematic for a MultiPlayerPlatform (MPP) gaming system. The MPP Game engine (dealer) comprises aHeber Pluto 5 casino game board 200 (Motorola 68340 board) operating offthe PC Platform Pentium™ 4 MPP Game Display processor 202. The gamedisplay processor operates on a Windows XP platform. The respectivesubcomponents on the Pentium 4 processor are labeled to show theapportionment of activity on the motherboard and the component partsadded to the board. As is shown, the game engine has an UninterruptiblePower Supply 204. The game display processor directs activity on theSpeakers, directs activities onto the MPP Game Service panel, and thePlasma Monitor Card Table display. It is important to note that allcommunications are direct from the game display processor, freeing upresources available to the game engine processor.

FIG. 6 shows the electronic/processing schematics of the MPP PlayerStation Intelligence board (Heber Pluto 5 Casino, Motorola 68340), eachof which player stations (one for each player position) is in directconnection to the MPP Game Engine (Dealer), which is in turn directlyconnected to the PC Platform (not shown in this Figure). EachIntelligence board receives information for all player input systemsspecific to that player station, such as the shown Coin Acceptor, CoinHopper, Bill Validator, Ticket Printer, Touch Screen and/or DisplayButton Panel, Dual Wire Ticket-in-Ticket-Out Printing and SAS System(SAS is one exemplary standard communications protocol used by a numberof casinos central computer systems.) A significant benefit resides inthe use of the independent Intelligence boards at each player positionbeing in direct communication with the MPP Game Engine 300, as opposedto each individual player position button panel being dead or inactiveuntil authorized by the main game processor, as previous automatedgaming systems were constructed.

With the player intelligent boards, the main game PC can receive packetsof information from each player station as events occur rather thanhaving to poll each player position on a regular basis 100 times to gainthe specific information for each player input that may be made.

The following is a discussion of exemplary hardware components that canbe used in a multi-player gaming platform that enables play of games ofthe present invention.

Heber Board

A description of the Heber Board, (an exemplary board that can be usedas a player station processor and/or game engine processor) acommercially available intelligent processing board is as follows. TheHeber Board is known for its reliability and flexibility, especially forthe Pluto 5 family of gaming products. The Pluto 5 is the controller ofchoice for the global gaming industry. Flexibility comes from a set offeatures built into the Pluto 5 (Casino) controller, and from the choiceof optional add-on boards that can be used to adapt the Pluto family tobest suit individual applications. In the area of interfacing, there arethree distinct boards, each of which serves a particular function inhelping the Pluto 5 to connect with the world outside:

RS485 Board

RS485 is an industrial-grade board for linking multiple systems inunforgiving circumstances for centralized information gathering. TheHeber RS485 board is fully opto-isolated to provide complete circuitsafety when used within ‘electrically noisy’ environments. The RS485board uses a single RS232 connection to the Pluto 5 board and allnecessary power is also derived through this link. Two header connectorsmay be provided for the RS485 channel to allow daisy chain connectionsbetween multiple systems.

HII/ccTalk Board

This board specializes in communicating with industry standard note/coinacceptors and payout hoppers. Equipped with dual communication channels,each port is configurable to use either the HII format to connect withMars™ coin/note acceptors or the ccTalk format for Money Controls™hoppers. Both channels are controlled via a single RS232 connection tothe Pluto 5 board and all necessary power is also derived through thislink. The Heber FastTrack™ package contains modular library functionsfor passing information via these channels.

Four Channel Relay Board

The relay board allows control of medium-level to high-level loads suchas solenoids, without risk of damage or interference to the Pluto 5circuitry. Four power-switching channels are available with absoluteisolation from the Pluto 5 control signals. Each relay is capable ofswitching direct or alternating currents of up to 7 A at a maximumvoltage of 250V.

Like the Pluto 5 board itself, its modular options have been usedextensively so that their designs are fully developed and entirelystable. The options that are specified are consistently provided in massquantities. As with all Pluto products, programming for the modularoptions is straightforward. This is enhanced with the use of the Pluto 5Enhanced Development Kit and also the FastTrack™ package. Between them,these kits contain all of the low level and high level programming toolsand library functions needed for gaming applications. These systems canbe provided through a Pluto 5 Enhanced Development Kit datasheet80-15353-7 (Heber Limited, Belvedere Mill, Chalford, Stroud,Gloucestershire, GL6 8NT, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1453 886000 Fax: +44 (0) 1453885013 www.heber.co.uk. Specifications for the various boards areidentified below.

RS485 Interface

Host Interface

RS232 connection to Pluto 5/Pluto 5 CasinoAll power provided via RS232 link from host system

Communication Port

Dual four-way Molex 0.1″ KK headers for daisy chaining purposes

Dimensions

80×61 mm (3.14.times.2.4″)Opto-isolated RS485 board01-14536-2

HII/ccTalk Interface Host Interface

RS232 connection to Pluto 5/Pluto 5 CasinoAll power provided via RS232 link from host system

Communication Port

Single or dual 10 way header connectors

Dimensions

101.6×69.85 mm (4.times.2.8″)

Part Number

Dual channel HII/ccTalk board01-16171-2

Four Channel Relay Board

Host Interface

Connection to Pluto 5/Pluto 5 Casino via ribbon cable using fourstandard output linesAll power provided via ribbon cable link from host system

Switching Capabilities

Up to 250V AC or DC @ 7 A maximum per channel

Dimensions

80×61 mm (3.14.times.2.4″)

Part Number

Four channel relay board01-15275-180-16949-1

One proposed hardware configuration uses a “satellite” intelligentprocessor at each player position. The player station satelliteprocessor is substantially the same as the primary game engineprocessor, a Heber Pluto 5 Casino board. The satellite processorsreceive instruction from the primary game engine but then handle thecommunications with player station peripherals independently. Eachsatellite processor communicates with only the peripherals at the sameplayer station. Thus each player station has a dedicated satelliteprocessor communicating with only the peripherals at the same playerstation and with the casino's central computer system. The peripheralsare, but not limited to: Slot accounting Systems, Bill Validator, TicketPrinter, Coin Acceptor, Coin Hopper, Meters, Button panel or LCD touchscreen and various doors and keys.

The satellite processors run proprietary software to enablefunctionality. The player station software is comprised of two modules,the first being an OS similar to the game engine Operating System andthe second being station software that handles peripheralcommunications. The software may be installed on EPROMs for eachsatellite processor. The primary method of communication between thesatellite processors and the primary game engine is via serialconnectivity and the previously described protocol. In one example,information packets are prepared by the satellite processors and aresent to the game engine processor on the happening of an event.

The proposed game engine provides communication to the player stationsto set the game state, activate buttons and receive button and meterinformation for each player station. Communication is via a serialconnection to each of the stations. The new protocol for communicationbetween the game engine, game display and player stations is an eventdriven packet-for-packet bi-directional protocol with Cyclic RedundancyCheck (CRC) verification. This is distinguished from the Sega systemthat used continuous polling. This communication method frees upresources in the same engine processor because the processor no longerneeds to poll the satellites continuously or periodically.

The new protocol uses embedded acknowledgement and sequence checking.The packet-for-packet protocol uses a Command Packet, Response Packetand a Synchronization Packet as illustrated below. The protocol usesstandard ASCII characters to send data and a proprietary verificationmethod.

Format of Command Packet

TABLE-US-00006 STX SEQ DATA LENGTH DATA CRC-16 ETX 1 1 3 3-999 5 1Format of Response Packet TABLE-US-00007 STX SEQ DSP PRV ETX 1 1 1 1 1Format of Synchronization Response Packet TABLE-US-00008 STX MTS MRS ETX1 1 1 1 Legend for Figures

TABLE-US-00009 STX Start of Packet Character SEQ Sequence # (Cycles from‘0’ thru ‘9’) LEN Length of Data Area (‘003’ thru ‘999’) DATA ASCII DataFields Separated with ‘I’ Character CRC CRC-16 Value (‘0000’ thru‘65535’) Cyclic Redundancy Check ETX End of Packet Character DSPDisposition Code (‘A’ ACK, ‘N’ NAK, or ‘I’ Invalid Sequence) PRVSequence Number of Last ACK'ed Packet (0 thru 9) MTS Main's CurrentTransmit Sequence Number MRS Main's Current Receive Sequence Number.

The Command Packet and Response Packet are used during primary gamecommunications. The protocol uses redundant acknowledgement. Forexample: The packet is initially acknowledged when first received by therecipient. The same recipient will resend anther acknowledgement in thenext communication. This second acknowledgement is the ‘PRV’ data in theresponse packet.

The communications between the Game Engine and the Player Stationintelligence is preferably a transaction-based protocol. Either devicecan start a transaction, which is why it is essential that there be anintelligent board at each player position. All packets of informationmay be sent in any acceptable format, with ASCII format preferred as amatter of designer choice. All command packets usually contain asequence number that is incremented after each successful packetexchange. The Game Engine and the Player Station intelligence usesequence numbers that are independent of each other. The sequence numberkeeps the communications in synchronization. This synchronization methodis described later.

The command packet is used to send various commands such as Inputs,Lamps, Doors, Errors, Chirp, Game Results, player input, coinacceptance, player identification, credit acceptance, wagers, etc. Thecommand packet format may be, by way of a non-limiting example: [0121]<STX><Sequence number><Data Length><Data><CRC-16><ETX>

The data format with in the command packet may be:

<Address><Command><Field 1>I<Field 2>I<Field n>I

The response packet format may be:

<STX><Sequence number><Disposition><Previous ACK><ETX>

The sync request packet format may be:

<SYN>

The sync response packet format may be:

<STX><Mains Current Transmission Sequence><Mains Current ReceiveSequence><ETX>

A major strength of the protocol is its resilience of the Game Protocoland its ability to free up resources within the game engine. Thoseresources can in turn be used to provide more intricate games, andmulti-media affects.

Synchronization Method:

The satellite and host must become synchronized in order to provide forreliable communications using packet numbers. To facilitate this, anovel protocol synchronization method that is used. Upon applying powerto the satellite, or after a communications failure, the satelliteautomatically enters into synchronization mode. In the synchronizationmode the satellite sends out the ASCII SYN (0×16) character about everysecond. It is expecting a special response packet containing transmitand receive packet sequence numbers to be used from that point on. Afterreceiving the special response packet, the sequence numbers are usedas-is, and not incremented until a successful packet exchange iscompleted. After communications is synchronized, the sequence numbersare incremented after each packet is successfully sent or received.

As was noted before, the main game processor may contain information,data, programming and other necessary functions to enable the play ofmultiple games off the same machine. For example, the main game enginemay have rules and commands that will enable play of high and low gamesof the present invention and other card games. The system may becontrolled so that different games may be played at different times oncommand of the casino or players.

The scope of the invention shown in the above examples and descriptionsare intended to be only specific, non-limiting examples and descriptionsof the generic concepts claimed herein. All references cited herein areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

1) A method of playing a wagering game under the control of a dealercomprising: a) a set of playing cards is shuffled to form a randomizedset of playing cards; b) the dealer requires two equal wagers at aplayer position at two locations, wherein each of the two locationsrepresents a wager on a single poker hand of a final three cards; c) thedealer dealing exactly two cards from the randomized set of playingcards to each of the two locations, for a total of four cards at eachplayer position; d) the dealer moving exactly one and only one card fromthe first of the two locations to a second location of the two locationsand exactly one and only one card from the second of the two locationsto the first of the two locations; e) the dealer completing three-cardhands at the two locations; f) the dealer providing a three card hand ata dealer's position; and g) the dealer resolving the two wagers bycomparing three-card poker ranks of each of the two locations at theplayer position against a three-card poker rank of the three card handat the dealer's position. 2) The method of claim 1 wherein the dealerdeals the two cards to the first location and moves the one card beforeany cards are dealt to the second location. 3) The method of claim 1wherein the dealer deals the two cards to the first location and movesthe one cards according to step d) after the two cards are also presentin the second location. 4) The method of claim 1 wherein the dealerdeals the two cards to the first location and moves the one card afterthe two cards are present in the second location and the dealer hasreceived the three cards at the dealer position. 5) The method of claim4 wherein one card in the second position is moved by the dealer to thefirst location and the dealer is provided with exactly four playingcards from which to make a best three-card poker hand. 6) A method ofplaying a wagering game under the control of a dealer comprising: h) aset of physical playing cards is used to provide random physical playingcards during play of the wagering game; i) the dealer requires two equalwagers at a player position at two locations, wherein each of the twolocations represents a wager on a single poker hand of three cards; j)the dealer dealing exactly two random physical playing cards to a firstof the two locations; k) the dealer moving exactly one and only one cardfrom the first of the two locations to a second location of the twolocations and exactly one and only one card from the second of the twolocations to the first of the two locations; l) the dealer completingthree-card hands at the two locations using random cards from the set ofphysical playing cards; m) the dealer providing a three card hand at adealer's position of random playing cards from the set of physicalplaying cards; and n) the dealer resolving the two wagers by comparingthree-card poker ranks of each of the two locations against a three-cardpoker rank of the three card hand at the dealer's position. 7) Themethod of claim 6 wherein the dealer deals two random cards to the firstlocation and moves the one card before any cards are dealt to the secondlocation and the physical playing cards are provided from a mechanicalphysical playing card randomizing machine that provides playing cardsfor the dealer to distribute. 8) The method of claim 6 wherein thedealer deals two cards to the first location and moves the one cardafter at least one card is present in the second location and thephysical playing cards are provided from a mechanical physical playingcard randomizing machine that provides playing cards for the dealer todistribute. 9) The method of claim 6 wherein the dealer deals two cardsto the first location and moves the one card after exactly two cards arepresent in the second location and the physical playing cards areprovided from a mechanical physical playing card randomizing machinethat provides playing cards for the dealer to distribute. 10) The methodof claim 6 wherein the dealer deals two cards to the first location andmoves the one card after exactly two cards are present in the secondlocation and the dealer position has three cards and the physicalplaying cards are provided from a mechanical physical playing cardrandomizing machine that provides playing cards for the dealer todistribute. 11) The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one card inthe second position is moved by the dealer to the first location. 12)The method of claim 10 wherein one card in the second position is movedby the dealer to the first location and one card in the second positionis moved by the dealer to the first location. 13) The method of claim 6wherein the physical set of playing cards are provided from a physicalplaying card randomizing machine, and specific numbers of playing cardsare provided for the dealer to distribute to a single position at atleast one step during play of the game. 14) The method of claim 1wherein the dealer accepts a wager on each of the player's two handlocations for a bonus wager paid off at odds listed by the dealer on apaytable, the dealer resolving the wager by comparing three card pokerranks for each player position hand where a bonus wager has been placedagainst a list of three card poker ranks and odds and paying playerposition hands based on the odds listed on the paytable. 15) The methodof claim 6 wherein the dealer accepts a wager on each of the player'stwo hand locations for a bonus wager paid off at odds listed by thedealer on a paytable, the dealer resolving the wager by comparing threecard poker ranks for each player position hand where a bonus wager hasbeen placed against a list of three card poker ranks and odds and payingplayer position hands based on the odds listed on the paytable. 19) Amethod of playing a wagering game on an electronic system under thecontrol of a virtual dealer, the electronic system comprising aprocessor, a video display screen and player input controls at at leastone player position, the processor acting as a virtual dealercomprising: a) a set of playing cards is provided by the processor as arandomized set of playing cards; b) the virtual dealer requires twoequal wagers at a single player virtual hand position at two playervirtual hand locations, wherein each of the two player virtual handlocations represents a single wager of the two equal wagers on a singlepoker hand of three cards; c) the virtual dealer dealing exactly twocards from the randomized set of playing cards to a first of the twolocations; d) the virtual dealer moving exactly and only one card fromthe first of the two virtual player hand locations to a player virtualhand second location of the two locations; e) the virtual dealercompleting three-card hands at the two virtual player hand locations; f)the virtual dealer providing a four card hand from the randomized set ofplaying cards at a dealer's virtual position; and g) the virtual dealerresolving the two wagers by comparing three-card poker ranks of each ofthe two virtual player locations against a best three-card poker rank ofthe four card hand at the dealer's virtual position. 20) The method ofclaim 19 wherein the dealer accepts a wager on each of the player's twohand locations for a bonus wager paid off at odds listed by the dealeron a paytable, the dealer resolving the wager by comparing three cardpoker ranks for each player position hand where a bonus wager has beenplaced against a list of three card poker ranks and odds and payingplayer position hands based on the odds listed on the paytable.